Monday, September 27, 2010

A delightful grilled shrimp salad of barley and whole grain wheat pastawith cucumber, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.My friend Terry described to me the wonderful appetizer she had at a restaurant and this is my version of it.So, it is just right that I add the " a la Terry" to the dish.Not just for appetizer now but as a meal in itself. My son can attest to that, he finished the plate.

INGREDIENTS:

10-12 large shrimps washed, peeled and deveined

1/2 of a red onion diced

1/4 cup pearl barley (or farro) rinsed and drained

2 servings of whole wheat grain penne or any pasta (cooked al dente )

2 large plum tomatoes seeded and diced

1/2 of the English cucumber diced

Handful of chopped cilantro

White or gold balsamic vinegar (or wine vinegar)

Mustard powder

Honey

Extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon of garam masala

2 cloves minced garlic

THE SHRIMPS......
Season the shrimps with salt, pepper, minced garlic, and garam masala, and a sprinkling of olive oil. Set aside. Heat your grill pan - brushed with olive oil; line up the shrimps on the pan for a minute or so on each side until the shrimps turn pink. Set aside.

PEARLY BARLEY PILAF...
Add the barley to a pan with 1-1/2 cups of water or broth and bring to a boil. Simmer until all the water is absorbed. Fluff, season, add the diced cucumber and the tomatoes. Mix thoroughly just like a pilaf.

WHOLE GRAIN PENNE PASTA.....
Cook the pasta al dente (follow the instruction on the box) and drain saving some pasta water. Add the pasta to the barley pilaf and toss, mixing thoroughly. Pour some of the balsamic vinaigrette and toss (leaving about 1/3 cup for the shrimps' sauce). Add some pasta water to the barley/pasta salad if necessary. Set aside.

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE....

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 clove garlic crushed

1 teaspoon ground mustard

Pinch of salt and ground black pepper to taste

A squirt of honey

In small bowl whisk together all of the above and season to taste.

NOW THE PARTY BEGINS.......a masala sauce for the blushing shrimps.....
Heat some olive oil on a small pan for the sauce.. add 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala and a pinch of mustard powder to the oil; stir for a few seconds before adding the reserved 1/3 cup of vinaigrette. Squirt a little more honey, simmer on low and continue stirring until it thickens a little. Sprinkle the sauce over the shrimps and serve with the barley pasta salad. (A quick note: if you are using farro-follow the instruction on the package)